3rd Annual Virtual DEI Conference

A CFA Society Los Angeles and LACERA collaborative event

CFALA and LACERA are happy to collaborate on our 3rd Annual DEI Virtual Conference. We will again be briefly highlighting the best practices learned from this year’s roundtable discussions and bringing a variety of thought leaders who will touch on topics ranging from communicating effectively with the c-suite, DEI Initiatives to the EU and Australia, how to future proof your business. We will end the conference with a frank discussion between two financial leaders passionate about DEI and how they lead with it in mind.

SPEAKERS
Jonathan Grabel | Jonathan Grabel is the CIO for the Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association (LACERA). Mr. Grabel manages a $73 billion defined benefit pension fund on behalf of LACERA's 185,000 active and retired members. He also oversees the investments for the LACERA-administered $3 billion healthcare benefits program. Prior to LACERA, Mr. Grabel was the CIO for New Mexico PERA, where he oversaw the investments for the agency’s $15 billion defined benefit fund and the associated PERA SmartSave deferred compensation plan. Previously, he was a general partner at a private equity firm focused on growth-stage investments in technology, networking industries, and digital communications. Earlier in his career, Mr. Grabel was an investment banker. Mr. Grabel received his BS in economics from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business and his MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He is a CPA (inactive).
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Dr Julia Mahfouz, Ph.D. | Julia Mahfouz, Ph.D. is an associate professor in the Leadership for Educational Organizations program at the University of Colorado Denver’s School of Education and Human Development, and the director of the Prosocial Leader Lab, where she drives cutting-edge research and practice in leadership development. As a recognized expert in Adult Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), Dr. Mahfouz specializes in equipping executives and school administrators with the emotional intelligence and leadership acumen necessary for high-impact organizational performance and sustainable workplace cultures. By blending research, leadership, and real-world application, Dr. Mahfouz empowers leaders in education and corporate environments alike to foster emotional agility, create high-performing teams, and drive organizational excellence. With a strong focus on strategic leadership and systemic SEL integration, her work has transformed leadership preparation programs, helping leaders enhance their emotional competencies and apply data-driven strategies to improve organizational effectiveness. She has also contributed to optimizing leadership training through certification standards and professional development models that focus on long-term growth, resilience, and innovation. Dr. Mahfouz’s thought leadership is published in prominent journals such as the Journal of Educational Administration, Educational Management Administration and Leadership, and Mindfulness, among others. She has also influenced the practitioner space with publications in The Greater Good Magazine, Learning Professional and Education Canada. She has a co-edited book titled, Supporting Leaders for School Improvement through Self-Care and Wellbeing.
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Sarah Maynard, ASIP | Sarah Maynard is Global Senior Head, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) at CFA Institute, the global association of investment professionals that sets the standard for professional excellence and credentials. Based in London, Sarah leads a global, industry-recognised portfolio of DEI programs for CFA Institute stakeholders who include CFA Program candidates, CFA charterholders, CFA Societies, and investment institutions, in order to champion the cause of greater diversity, equity, and inclusion in the investment management industry. Sarah is also responsible for internal DEI at CFA Institute, reporting to CEO & President, Marg Franklin. An experienced investment professional, Sarah joined CFA Institute in 2019 from Majedie Asset Management, a global investment firm now part of Liontrust, where she was Head of Stewardship and Client Communications Director. In the role, Sarah focused on ESG, especially governance, with a keen interest in how companies can achieve success through improving inclusion. Previously, Sarah was Director of Career Development at CFA Society of the UK, and a founder of the society’s Women’s Network, which she transformed into the Inclusion & Diversity Network, and which now has a membership of over 1,200 investment professionals. Prior to that, Sarah was a fund manager and analyst at both an asset manager and an asset owner, for which she managed an equities portfolio of US $3.3bn. She has an MA in English Literature and Language from Trinity College, Oxford, holds the ASIP (the credential for Associates of the Society of Investment Professionals), and is an Associate member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development. She currently serves on the Advisory Boards of Girls Who Invest, and the National Association of Securities Professionals (NASP), Collaborative WIM, and on the CEO Advisory Council of Diversity Project North America. Sarah was also a state (public) school governor in the United Kingdom for over a decade and a charity trustee, mainly working with disadvantaged communities. Back To Top ^^

 George Panayiotou, EdD | Dr. George Panayiotou is a senior lecturer at the University of Colorado, Denver, in the School of Education and Human Development. George’s background spans both the education and corporate sectors. He has held executive positions as a lead ship broker, trader, and macroeconomic strategist for the dry bulk shipping market. His academic work is at the intersection of leadership, organizational change, and business ethics, centering on uncovering the voices of global executives as they navigate stakeholder challenges during backlash. George’s action research has developed novel theoretical and practical frameworks for global executives to utilize in managing different stakeholder groups urging organizational action on issues with social, cultural, and environmental significance. He has published papers and presented at academic and professional conferences on global leadership, Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), and responsible leadership for effective stakeholder management. George seeks to further develop leadership theory and practice, supporting organizations and their executives in effectively navigating complex social issues. He holds a BScEcon and an MScEcon from the University of Wales, UK, and a doctorate from the University of Southern California
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 Mary Pugh | Mary Pugh is the founder and CEO of Pugh Capital. She began her career at Washington Mutual as an investment analyst. She rose to the level of Senior Vice President of the Portfolio Management Division. When she and co-founder, Scott Greiwe established the firm in 1991, their vision was to create a diverse Seattle-based fixed income firm that clients would view as a trusted partner. Washington Mutual became the firm’s first client and opened a $5 million account. Pugh Capital has grown organically over the years and manages over $11 billion in assets for institutional clients. Under her leadership, Pugh Capital has grown to become the largest African American female owned fixed income firm in the country. Mary has been an advocate and champion for diversity, equity, and inclusion in both her professional career and personal life. From the beginning, the co-founders shared a passion for fixed income investing. They enjoyed researching macroeconomic dynamics and constructing portfolios that helped clients to achieve their goals. They also appreciated the chance to work in the investment field in their hometown of Seattle and wanted to create that opportunity for others. Under Mary’s stewardship, Pugh Capital has built a firm that attracts, develops, inspires, and retains exceptional and diverse talent. We strive to build an organization that employees believe is a “Best Places to Work” and clients view as a preferred firm to work with. Pugh Capital was honored to be selected by Pension & Investments as one of the Best Places to Work in Money Management in the small manager category from 2018 - 2024. Mary is committed to using her expertise, talent, and passion to make a positive societal impact. She has a long history of community engagement and enjoys providing opportunities to elevate the success and experiences of young people. She is on the board of the Rainier Scholars Endowment Fund and the Dean’s Advisory Board for Seattle University’s Albers Business School. Mary is the Program Chair of the Greater Seattle (WA) Chapter of the Links’ award-winning Building STEAM program which works with middle school girls of color. Mary is a member of the Seattle Chapter of the International Women’s Forum and on the board of the Washington Roundtable and Washington State Investment Board. Over the years, she has served on numerous boards including the University of Washington Medical Center, the Seattle Branch of the San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank, Washington Mutual, Cascade Natural Gas, The Seattle Foundation, and the YMCA of Greater Seattle. Mary graduated from Yale University with a B.A. in Economics
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 Tallulah Tadlock | Ms. Tadlock leads Rich Leadership's leadership development initiatives for the financial services sector, where she helps organizations build effective leadership practices that drive success. Through her work, Tallulah has designed and implemented innovative strategies that improve leadership effectiveness and organizational cohesion. With a focus on leadership development and reducing bias, she works across various financial services firms as a consultant, helping organizations drive positive change and inclusion. She is also the Founder and Strategic Advisor of Jensen DiversityMetrics™, a software platform that enables asset managers to measure, report, and improve diverse human capital representation. With Jensen DiversityMetrics™, Tallulah has played a key role in promoting accountability and transparency within the investment industry by integrating DEI considerations into investment strategies.
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